Corn Starch Goop
Okay, this one's not science. But, what is cuter than Clifford, a soldier, and little sis helping with chores?
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Life of Fred- How's It Working For Us?
I bought 4 of the 10 new Life of Fred elementary math books a while back. My 7yo reader, does NOT enjoy any of the math programs we've used, and LoF is different. The student reads a short chapter and then answers just a few questions (called "Your Turn to Play"). I can't really explain the approach, he does a good job of that in his website.
Instead of dreading DREADING math lessons everyday, my son races to do them. The books are written as a continual story about a boy professor named Fred. My son loves stories- perfect match. Well, because LoF is so different than any other math program I've seen, I am quick to think it will not be adequate. The author claims that it is NOT a supplement, but a stand alone curriculum.
In my doubts, and because 7yo was almost done with the 4th book, I was looking at a website of another math program that may be an option later, to see if 7yo could handle it yet. As I was searching, he came up and said, "You're NOT thinking of getting a different math curriculum, are you?!?"
I decided to go ahead and get the final 6 elementary books from LoF and not be too hasty to judge. The author suggests to finish all the elementary books, take a 6 month break and go through them again if the child is not yet ready for the upper math books. SINCE my son enjoys these so much, I am willing to be a guinea pig and see if he ends up being a math genius. What I can tell you is that I never imagined this child saying such wonderful things about math, and begging to do more! The author recommends doing one (short) chapter a day...I haven't been keeping that limit. But I can see that it may be a good idea so information can sink in before moving to the next chapter.
Just thought I'd throw out this little curriculum review for a new elementary math program (the upper levels are not new, though) written by a math professor. Be warned, it will NOT be what you think math "should" be. When we are finished with all ten books (twice) I will try to spread the word as to whether this is a s successful as I had hoped. It shouldn't take us 6 moths to finish the first round. Its my attempt to not pull teeth to get math done.
FYI, this is a self-learning curriculum, there is no teaching needed. DID YOU HEAR THAT? You do not need to be good at math to use this! The student just has to read well. I don't mean you shouldn't get involved or think of interesting ways to review the topics. I like to read the books first, so I can help direct the few questions he has, and try to enforce the areas covered. You are not supposed to give the answers, but to encourage them to look back to find it...and they really feel good when they've found it.
P.S. They (I) learn way more than math in these books.
P.P.S They are very silly, but fit for all ages.
Instead of dreading DREADING math lessons everyday, my son races to do them. The books are written as a continual story about a boy professor named Fred. My son loves stories- perfect match. Well, because LoF is so different than any other math program I've seen, I am quick to think it will not be adequate. The author claims that it is NOT a supplement, but a stand alone curriculum.
In my doubts, and because 7yo was almost done with the 4th book, I was looking at a website of another math program that may be an option later, to see if 7yo could handle it yet. As I was searching, he came up and said, "You're NOT thinking of getting a different math curriculum, are you?!?"
I decided to go ahead and get the final 6 elementary books from LoF and not be too hasty to judge. The author suggests to finish all the elementary books, take a 6 month break and go through them again if the child is not yet ready for the upper math books. SINCE my son enjoys these so much, I am willing to be a guinea pig and see if he ends up being a math genius. What I can tell you is that I never imagined this child saying such wonderful things about math, and begging to do more! The author recommends doing one (short) chapter a day...I haven't been keeping that limit. But I can see that it may be a good idea so information can sink in before moving to the next chapter.
Just thought I'd throw out this little curriculum review for a new elementary math program (the upper levels are not new, though) written by a math professor. Be warned, it will NOT be what you think math "should" be. When we are finished with all ten books (twice) I will try to spread the word as to whether this is a s successful as I had hoped. It shouldn't take us 6 moths to finish the first round. Its my attempt to not pull teeth to get math done.
FYI, this is a self-learning curriculum, there is no teaching needed. DID YOU HEAR THAT? You do not need to be good at math to use this! The student just has to read well. I don't mean you shouldn't get involved or think of interesting ways to review the topics. I like to read the books first, so I can help direct the few questions he has, and try to enforce the areas covered. You are not supposed to give the answers, but to encourage them to look back to find it...and they really feel good when they've found it.
P.S. They (I) learn way more than math in these books.
P.P.S They are very silly, but fit for all ages.
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